A successful communist Utopia is a dream because it would require all non-communists to be eliminated. In a communist nation, each individual is given equal shares in result of their labor, and wealth is distributed in a fashion so all individuals are in the same wealth class. The role of Communism in 1984 was influenced by the tension between the United States and the USSR, the Domino Theory, and the fear of harsh treatment under Communist rule.
The novel 1984 was written in the midst of the Cold War, occurring from 1947 until 1991. The Cold War was an indirect battle between the US and the USSR involving clashing beliefs. Neither side was ever in real battle with the other but they fought for their own beliefs, The USSR fought for Communism and the US fought for Capitalism ("The Cuban Missile Crisis). One of the prominent rulers during the Cold War was Joseph Stalin. Stalin was born a serf, a laborer who worked underneath a lords estate, but became the Supreme Leader of the Soviet Union from 1929 to 1953.A question is often, how do these rulers gain so much power? Stalin’s rise to power began in 1905 when he attended a conference in Finland as a delegate. Joseph Stalin is then appointed to the Party’s Central Committee by Vladimir Lenin in 1912, and in 1922, he was chosen as General Secretary of the Communist Party. Stalin took the path of slowly working his way up the hierarchy to gain his own power (Joseph Stalin Timeline).
Big Brother was the figure of power in 1984,
1984 is a cautionary tale that follows Winston through the cruel world he lives in. To give a bit of background, the novel was published on June 8th, 1949, only about two years into the start of the cold war. The “horror” of communism was rampant during this time, and George Orwell wanted to show what could happen if a government had so much control over the people of their country. He wanted people to understand that governments should not be able to dehumanize people, otherwise the people living there aren’t technically human. Orwell wanted people to know how to stay human, they just have to have a personality, and to hold onto your own opinions. According to George Orwell, it doesn’t take a lot to be human, but the few things it does take are so important, that if we were to let them go, our worlds would fall apart. George Orwell wants his readers to understand and hold on to the things that are important to us, the ones we love, the things we do, the people we are, because those are the things that truly make us
by current communist states. 1 In theory, Communism is supposed to create a utopia, based on
1984 is a novel that is placed in the future where propaganda is the main theme. 1984 was written during World War II was taking place, therefore greatly impacted the writing and material that was used in 1984. Orwell wrote this book as sort of a warning to make sure that another Hitler would not come into power. Orwell, in an essay titled, “Why I Write,” he had stated that
A shocking number of 40 million people were executed during Joseph Stalin’s reign of Soviet Russia between the years 1924 to 1953. Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union, plays an important role in George Orwell’s novel 1984. Orwell’s novel depicts a totalitarian government that controls the lives of the people in Oceania by supplying false propaganda and monitoring their everyday life. As a matter of fact, Orwell writes his novel based on the events that occurred in Soviet Russia during the reign of Joseph Stalin. The author includes similar aspects to that of Soviet Russia in his novel to warn his audience the dangers of a totalitarian state. George Orwell’s dystopian society illustrates the negative effects that a totalitarian government
The novel 1984 is based during world war two ,when hitler took power in germany, but it takes place in italy during the time Benito Mussolini was in charge. During this time people would use different type of propaganda to support their cause, for example victory cigarettes and victory rum. They would sell most of their merchandise with the word victory on it and with a picture of big brother. They brainwashed people with all
A utopian society would be classified as perfect and just for all. This society has been conceived numerous times throughout history along with numerous ideologies. Although these ideologies have solved specific problems, none of them can be considered perfect due to numerous perceptions, which in turn would prevent perfection. In 1984, the Party made a totalitarian government. Like other oppressive governments throughout history, the ideology designed by the Party was not capable of creating a society that could support all people. Currently democracy provides the best society, but can still create oppositions of views. Even though some ideologies may present themselves as ideal, when applied to reality, they fail due to uncontrollable factors. This means an “ideal” society is impossible for mankind to accomplish as proposed by the totalitarian government in 1984 and from historical events.
During the time that Orwell was writing 1984, Hitler and Stalin were creating their totalitarian governments. “The two complete forms of totalitarianism in the 20th century have been Adolf Hitler's Germany and Stalin's Soviet Union.” (Quinn) It is quite clear that Hitler and Stalin had a huge impression on Orwell’s writing. Some of the traits that Orwell includes in his 1984 government come directly from their way of ruling. For example, the Thought Police in the novel come from the Nazis. Both groups have the same job, which is to punish anyone who is against the power.
Considering that the book was published in 1948, in the start of the Cold War, the political connotation of this book was instantly interpreted as a criticism to the Soviet Union and their autocratic rule, mainly because of the parallels and allusions Orwell brought from this country. For instance the resemblance of Big Brother which is describe as “the face of a man of about forty-five, with a heavy black moustache and ruggedly handsome features”(Orwell 4) is an accurate description of the 1948 Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, hinting a parallel Orwell established between both of them. Common practices like cult of personality and his rivalry with previous party members (in Stalin’s case Trotsky and in Big Brother’s case Goldstein) show that the character is not only physically similar, but that Big Brother is an allusion to the Soviet leader. Hence Orwell also alludes the alteration of history and photographs in Winston´s working place to the similar practices made in the USSR under Stalin, where photos were edited when people condemned by treason appeared on it. The constant wars the country is facing alludes to the multiple wars that took place during the first half of the twentieth century, as the author states that their society was constantly at war, which is an allusion to his present. By alluding to the present and to the USSR, Orwell convinces the western reader of the dangers of these dictatorial societies, by drawing a parallel between 1984 society and their cold war
In the midst of the Cold War, the fear of communism was spreading across the US like wildfire. In 1949 George Orwell publishes 1984 to depict a future dystopian society controlled by a totalitarian government. He hopes to show his readers what effect communism can potentially have through the government in the novel known as the Party. This government makes numerous efforts to control not only all aspects of the present life for its citizens but also all aspects of the past. It is seen as the ultimate power striking fear in all of its citizens’ minds. In Orwell’s novel, he uses the character Winston to show how a totalitarian government attempts to control its citizens’ free will to order to be the supreme power; Winston, however, does his best to not conform.
The novel 1984 has many similarities with the history of Adolf Hitler. The utopian theme, genre and characters, such as winston, have comparisons to Adolf Hitler and his objective in that time. This novel is very dark and pessimistic noting that the big brother in this case can be Adolf himself. There are various details and clues that prove this, which are Adolf's increase in power, his threat in the economy, and the truth about himself through his actions. As a Totalitarian Dictator, Adolf had incredible amounts of power and control over Germany and because of the people's influenced trust in him an abominable outcome has taken place in history.
George Orwell wrote his best works during the tragic events of the fierce government repression of Communist Russia and Nazi Germany during the 1940’s. He expressed various grievances toward the high authority of these totalitarian governments and the abuse of their powers. In his writings, he alludes to many well known dictators, such as Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin, and he cynically views them as symbols of corruption and the loss of basic human rights and freedom. In his most renowned novel, 1984, George Orwell insightfully demonstrates how the repressing influence of a totalitarian government ironically amplifies and draws out the natural essence of humanity within the characters, specifically relating to romance, hope and rebellion, and fear and betrayal throughout the novel.
George Orwell’s 1984 is a great allegory about life under communist rule. Throughout the book there are many concepts that directly relate to the rule of Josef Stalin in the U.S.S.R.
The novel 1984 made me paranoid and suspicious of the government's power and intentions. I became aware of the potential manipulation of which the government could impose upon us. The very thing which I depend on for security and protection may be a conniving entity which feeds off of it’s own power and corruption. As I flourished in my naivety, I was unaware that the people I trusted, whom I believed to be wholly dedicated to our well-being as a society, could betray us at any moment they see fit. I gravely overlooked the potential and the power that the government has to rule us. In fact, they may have been conspiring against us this whole time, using us as pawns in their quest for ultimate authority. As a
Communism in the USSR was doomed from the onset. Communism was condemned due to lack of support from other nations, condemned due to corruption within its leadership, condemned due to the moral weakness of humanity, making what is perfect on paper, ineffective in the real world. The end of this system was very violent. It left one of the two most powerful nations in the world fearful of what was to come. <br><br>Communism can either be called a concept or system of society. In a society that follows the communist beliefs groups own the major resources and means of production, rather than a certain individual. In theory, Communism is to provide equal work, and benefits to all in a specific society. Communism is derived from many ancient
The works of Karl Marx are a crucial part of the foundation of the utopia, as they outline the overt flaws in a capitalist system and define the economic plan of the utopia. Although not inherently communistic in every aspect, the dominant political ideology of the utopia is libertarian socialism. Under libertarian socialism, the citizens can reach their full potential while remaining under the care of the government for systems such as healthcare and education. By being allowed to the same opportunities as everyone else from birth, the concept of equality of opportunity is instilled in each person and is further cemented into the foundations of each individual as they age. Eventually, they will come to see themselves and others as complete equals, which will give them a better understanding of their environment and will make for better choices.